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Yoox could unveil deal to buy Net-a-Porter this week

Mon, Mar 30, 2015 - 6:36 AM

Cartier owner Richemont is keen to retain a stake in the combined entity and preserve exposure to the booming online fashion market, the sources said on condition of anonymity. "I think a deal could be announced very quickly," one of the sources said.

PHOTO: AFP

[PARIS] Italian online fashion retailer Yoox could unveil a deal to buy Richemont's Net-a-Porter as early as this week, sources close to the matter told Reuters at the weekend.

Cartier owner Richemont is keen to retain a stake in the combined entity and preserve exposure to the booming online fashion market, the sources said on condition of anonymity. "I think a deal could be announced very quickly," one of the sources said.

Net-a-Porter and Yoox explored merger talks at the end of 2013 but they could not agree on a deal. This time round, sources said an agreement may be easier to find as Net-a-Porter founder Natalie Massenet is finalising her five-year payout with Richemont which could reach more than 100 million euros based on the value of her company as of March 31.

In recent weeks, the Swiss luxury group has spurned several informal offers from at least four investment firms for as much as 2.2 billion euros(US$2.4 billion), other sources have said, as the group was reluctant to sell the business outright for cash. Richemont has a preference for a strategic partner such as Yoox, which it sees as being a strong operator. Also, by selling the business to Yoox, Richemont would no longer need to bear the brunt of investment in UK-based Net-a-Porter, which requires further funds to grow further.